"Am I being replaced already?" Carol teased, walking up behind Daryl. He was wiping down a shiny Harley Davidson motorcycle. It was probably one of the last ones made before the turn and it had belonged to Negan. Now, thanks to Dwight, it belonged to Daryl. It was a peace offering that wasn't really necessary by that point, but there was no way Daryl was turning it down and Carol was sure Dwight would have insisted anyway. His group still had a lot of vehicles, including several motorcycles, and a lot less men to share them all.

"Course you ain't," Daryl replied, with one of his shy smiles. They had got back about an hour earlier and in the limited time they'd spent together Carol had noticed a change in him. Obviously he was more relaxed and stress free being home, they all were, but there was something else. It was a shyness that she hadn't seen from him in a while. Carol knew it came directly from the knowledge and expectation of what was going to happen between them very soon. Of course there was still that nagging feeling that what they had went through would impact their future, which was why Carol knew they needed to be together sooner rather than later.

She looked around to make sure they were alone. "So, uh, I spoke with Michonne and she's going to talk to Rick," Carol started. Daryl looked up from his work. "The house is empty now and no one but you and I will be staying there tonight."

His face turned bright red. "What the hell is she gonna tell Rick?"

Carol rolled her eyes. "Seriously? You think they aren't going to figure out pretty damn quick that we're having sex?" He squirmed and she had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. "How many nights have we had to listen to Glenn and Maggie? Or Abe and Rosita... those two are loud," she added with a laugh. Daryl looked so uncomfortable she decided to shift gears for a moment. She reached for his arm and touched him gently. "Hey, come on - if you don't want to…"

"No, I do," he interrupted. "I really do."

Carol felt her heart flutter. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go inside, lock the door and just be us - together."

Daryl tossed the rag and nodded. They started to walk towards the house. "Look at that, fuck, he's smirking," Daryl muttered under his breath. Carol looked over and saw Rick. She waved and smiled. "If he says one word I'm gonna punch him."

"Guess that's what brothers do, huh?" Carol teased him. "Besides, if anyone is going to piss you off it's far more likely to be that one over there." Daryl followed her gaze and groaned when he saw Abe. "I won't even pretend I can kick his ass. But I'll try if I have to."

"Oh stop, the more upset you get the more they will enjoy it," Carol counseled him wisely. She opened the door and they walked inside. She closed it and flipped the lock. "And now, it's just us." She turned to face him with her heart already pounding.

"Yep, just us," he echoed, looking around the room like he'd never been there before.

"Hey, are you okay?" Carol asked, worrying again and overthinking.

"Come on," Daryl replied, ignoring her question. She followed him the the stairs and into the bathroom. He turned on the taps and let the water warm up in the huge, deep tub. He looked at her, with that shy, timid side of him. "I think we both need to relax for a bit."

Carol didn't realize she'd been holding her breath until she let it out. Daryl put the plug in and added bubble bath. She would have started laughing if it wasn't so damn romantic. A bubble bath certainly did not seem like a Daryl thing at all, but this was a new side to him that she was just getting to know. Perhaps he had all kinds of surprises.

They looked at each other for a minute. "Should we just…" Daryl made a gesture that indicated he wanted to know if they should just take off their clothes.

Carol thought for a moment. "Not yet," she replied. "Turn around and I'll tell you when I'm in the tub. Then I'll close my eyes until you're in there with me." Daryl looked a bit confused. "Sometimes it's nice to touch things before you see them," she replied with a shrug. She knew he was blushing even though he had his back to her. Carol undressed quickly and slipped into the hot bath. Her muscles were soothed instantly and she sighed deeply. She turned off the water and sat in the middle of the tub. "Okay, my eyes are closed."

After what felt like an eternity she finally felt him climb into the tub with her. The bubbles moved even higher as Daryl sat down. She felt his foot brush her thigh as he stretched out his legs around her. Finally she opened her eyes and stole a glance at him over her shoulder. "Been awhile since I've done this," he said, reaching out to gently rub her shoulders. His hands were strong and felt so good she melted with his touch.

"Daryl? Did you ever think we would be here, like this?" She asked. "I mean, after all this time… We're finally together, but it's not just that. We're having a bubble bath," she giggled. "I can honestly say I never imagined this happening. Maybe skinny dipping in a cold river hoping we would be out and dressed before anyone came along. But a tub, alone, in a house, with hot water and scented bubbles… no way."

"Not gonna lie," Daryl snorted. "This might be my first bubble bath." He continued to rub her shoulders and Carol felt her body start to tingle. It wasn't just the sexual nature of what was happening, Daryl was actually really good at massaging her muscles. It wasn't just sensual, it truly felt amazing too. "But you're right. Never imagined this, that's for sure."

Carol shifted slightly. "Oh," she gasped, when she brushed against him and realized what she was brushing against.

"I'm sorry," he apologized quickly. "I can't help it... It just…"

"Don't apologize silly," Carol shushed him. She turned and gave him a sassy smile. "I'd be offended if you weren't." Once she made eye contact and saw his face Carol couldn't make herself turn back around. She spun around further and moved closer to him. His hand found the small of her back under the water indicating that he wanted her even closer. Carol straddled his lap and sunk down. When her body made contact with his erection she took in a shuddering deep breath. He wasn't inside her, but just knowing how close they were and that it could happen with only a slight adjustment was overwhelming. The emotions inside her were conflicting at times, complimentary other times, but always intense. She wanted him, there was no denying that. But as much as she tried to push it away the second she started to kiss him the memories flooded back and she realized just how close they came to having this moment ripped away from them in the most disgusting way imaginable.

Daryl pulled away, "Hey, don't - it's just us." How did he know? How could he tell? Daryl knew her so well, maybe better than she knew herself some days. His intuition was so unexpected every time it happened, though by that point she should have known better.

"I hear the voices," Carol said softly. "How do I make them go away?" She was so confident this wouldn't happen. She was strong. She was so sure she could overcome it. All this time she'd been more worried about him and helping him through this.

"You focus on me," Daryl replied. "Hear my voice." He leaned in and nuzzled her face and then whispered in her ear. "I love you." Carol was pretty sure her heart was going to explode with happiness. "Whenever you hear those voices or see those images in your mind you hear that instead and see my face." God, was this real? How could Daryl be this sweet and romantic guy? How could he be so perfect? How could he treat her better than any man in her life ever had? She'd always known he was complex, but this was a side she never could have expected. Carol realized in that moment, looking into his eyes, that this was a side of him that only she would see. It was the way he was when he was with her. This was her version of Daryl and she would never have to share this part of him. It was hers and only hers. And it was the best gift anyone had ever, or would ever, give her.

"I think I'm done with this bubble bath," Carol said, touching his silky hair at the base of his neck. They hadn't been in the tub long, but she was ready. Slowly she stood up, letting the water and the bubbles drip off her body as she exposed herself to Daryl for the first time. She could see the lust and desire in his eyes, but his reaction surprised her yet again. Instead of touching her in a sexual way he leaned forward and softly kissed her belly, just below the navel, and then placed his head against her stomach and hugged her. It was so sweet and tender she felt her knees go weak. It was filled with love and the moment brought tears to her eyes. She played with his hair until he finally released her.

Carol stepped back and offered him a hand. Daryl looked nervous but he put his hand in hers and stood up. His body was lean and muscular, just like the parts she'd already seen. She knew she was embarrassing him, but she couldn't help but check out his dick, aroused, hard, and absolutely perfect. Maybe her moment wasn't going to be sweet and romantic like his had been, but the low sound that came from his throat when she wrapped her hand around his shaft told her he was completely okay with that.

It felt so strange to be touching him that way - or anyone. It had been such a long, long time. But it also felt really good because it was igniting a spark inside her that was already intense.

She was so focussed on touching him she didn't notice what she was doing to him. When she finally looked up she released him immediately. "Sorry," she said with a little smile. He looked like he was barely hanging on. "I think maybe we should get to the bedroom now, hmm?"

They towelled off quickly and ran naked down the hallway. The air was cold, but the second they were in the room she was in Daryl's arms and his body was warm. Carol focussed on each of her senses.

Smell. The air was filled with the lavender scent of the bubble bath. It was sweet and strong, extremely fragrant and it only added to the allure and desire she was already feeling. That scent, mixed with Daryl's own musky, manly smell was intoxicating. It certainly wasn't a sense she had ever focussed on so deeply during an intimate encounter, which was a shame because it was heightening her arousal in a way she'd never experienced before. She leaned in close and inhaled deeply, letting the aroma spread through her body.

Sound. As they started to kiss she focused on everything she heard. From those little moments of silence to their breathing, sighs, gasps and deep moans. It was very erotic to focus not only on the noises that Daryl was making, but the little sounds that he was able to elicit from her as well. So many little sounds that she just couldn't contain made her even more turned on.

Taste. She moved to his neck, sucking lightly on his skin. She could taste the sweetness of the bubble bath, mixed with the natural saltiness of his body and it made her hungry. She craved the flavor as she sucked harder and harder, knowing she was gonna leave a mark but unable to stop herself.

Sight. As they moved to the bed the look on his face changed. The lust deepened as he knew they were close, so close to that moment of no return - that moment of utmost bliss. There was a hint of nervousness, but she knew she reflected that in her own face which had to be comforting for him. She was definitely nervous, but she thought about what he'd said earlier - just see his face. So that's what she focussed on as she lay on the soft bed and he hovered over her. Dammit, the man was incredibly handsome. The age lines on his face made him look even more handsome than she remembered when they first met. Even through all the pain and hardship he was aging well. Carol wasn't shallow, it didn't matter to her if he was the sexiest man alive or not, because he was perfect - for her.

Touch. The final sense. Carol saved it for last because it was the one she never wanted to forget. With her legs open, waiting for him, she had a quick flash - back to Negan's camp, and a pang of anxiety in her chest. This could have happened with people watching. I love you, I love you, I love you…somewhere in her brain Daryl's words came back to her and washed the bad stuff away.

When she had herself composed again she realized Daryl was still waiting. "What's wrong?" she asked with concern.

"I'm, um… well… I'm nervous," he admitted. Everything had been absolutely perfect so far, he had no reason to be nervous, but she understood. "It's been a long time... and what if you don't like…"

"Shh," Carol stopped him. "I will. And you will. We both will - no matter what. But you know what the best part is?" She smiled at him. "If it's not perfect the first time - we can try again," she finished with a whisper.

Daryl smiled back. His smile was so rare, but when it appeared it was like the sun came out from behind a cloud. "What, uh, what happens if it is - perfect?"

Carol laughed. "We would have to keep trying anyway, just to be sure it can't get better." The laughter faded away and their eyes met. She nodded and touched his muscular thighs. His legs were warm and the muscles were tight. She moved higher, slowly, with both hands until one was on his dick and the other was cupping his balls. Carol stroked him, and felt his cock throb in her hand. Her heart started to pound even harder.

"Okay, okay," he groaned. The way he looked at her told her that he was ready this time. Carol released him and closed her eyes, focussing once again on her sense of touch. Thankfully this time he didn't hesitate. Before she knew what was going on he was inside her. All the way. They were completely united. It felt so good she wanted to squirm, or scream, or dig her nails into something, but she didn't. Instead she held it all in and allowed the pleasure to build. She felt every thrust. Each time he pulled out so far it almost felt as if he was penetrating her for the first time all over again. She felt the sensual pressure within her core as he pushed into her, so deep inside her body. She felt his hand - on her hips, on her breasts, her belly, her legs. She loved the way he touched her while they made love. His hands were so strong, but they felt tender and soft on her skin.

Carol continued to hold on, allowing the feelings inside her to build her up, higher and higher. When she finally reached the top and started to fall she heard his voice again, "I love you, I love you, I love you." She had no idea if it was in her mind or if he was really saying it, but it didn't matter - they were his words and she knew he felt them. "I love you too," she said, hopefully out loud, though she really couldn't be sure. Her existence was nothing more than a feeling - the most pleasurable feeling of all. Every part of her body was warm and tingling with ecstasy. She didn't open her eyes until she felt Daryl stop moving. Her timing was perfect though because as her own euphoria was fading she got to watch him experience the same thing. It was beautiful. The expression on his face was once again something completely new - but it was something she hoped she got to see a lot.

A while later wearing very little clothing they were cuddled together on the couch in the living room. "This is a one time thing," Daryl warned her, turning on the TV and hitting play on the DVD she'd picked out - Love Actually. "I don't do chick flicks."

"Oh come on," Carol swatted him lightly. "I only picked this one because one of the characters looks exactly like Rick. Wait, you'll see."

It was so weird to be snuggled up on the couch, watching a movie like a normal couple. "Fine, but next time we're gonna watch a guys movie - that Boondock Saints thing looks pretty good."

"Okay, it's a deal," Carol looked at him and kissed him quickly before settling back against his chest. "Shhh, it's about to start." As they watched the movie she didn't care that he spent more time looking at her than he did looking at the screen. She was well aware of where his eyes were and it made her feel incredibly loved.

One night, only days ago she was taken away. And now here she was. It was another night she would never forget. They would have so many more, but this one was a beginning. It was also a victory. Together they had overcome yet another obstacle which could have prevented their happiness. There would be more. There would be loss and sadness and tragedy - there always was - it was life. But for the first time in a while Carol felt something else - hope and comfort and - happiness. It didn't matter what the future brought because she knew she would never face it alone again.

After the movie Carol looked at Daryl and said, "To me - you are perfect." He rolled his eyes and chuckled before knocking her back on the couch and attacking her with kisses. The only thing Carol knew as he stripped off her clothes for round two was that she loved this man with all her heart and she never wanted the night to end.

~The End~

Thank you all so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed. Much love to all.